Latest news with #Sim
The Star
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Sarawak developing statewide sustainability roadmaps, to implement UN's Sustainable Development Goals
KUCHING: Sarawak is developing sustainability roadmaps for all 27 local authorities across the state to implement the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at the local level. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said local authorities were developing the roadmaps with Urbanice Malaysia, an agency under the federal Housing and Local Government Ministry. "We want to see sustainability roadmaps for city, municipal and district council levels. "All this will be localised because we cannot expect to have the same SDG goals as London, Beijing or Washington. We are all different," he said on Friday (June 20). Dr Sim was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Urbanice and three local councils - Padawan Municipal Council, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council and Sarikei District Council - for the preparation of their SDG voluntary local review report. He said the sustainability roadmaps would help set the standard for local authorities to compare their progress with other cities. This, Dr Sim said, would help identify any gaps that need addressing or areas for improvement. He added that the voluntary local review by the three councils would allow them to look at their gaps in implementing the SDG. "The gaps can be due to local challenges in certain areas of Sarawak, such as places where we are still reaching out to supply electricity and clean water. "We're also looking at parameters such as the difference between urban and rural poverty," he said. Urbanice chief executive officer Norliza Hashim said Sarawak had achieved 58% progress in localising the SDG, above the national average of 43%. "This is the overall achievement of all the local authorities in Sarawak, based on data we got from the Statistics Department, the state government and the local authorities themselves," she said. Norliza also said Sarawak was the first state to evaluate the localisation of SDGs by all its local authorities simultaneously. "This is a good commitment. Then you can take action at the state level, not just at the local level, because you see the results as a whole," she said.
Borneo Post
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
VLR a transparent tool to identify gaps in Sarawak's development, says Dr Sim
Dr Sim (fifth left), Desmond (fifth right), and Norliza (fourth right) with the chairmen of participating local councils during a photo call after the MoU signing ceremony. – Ukas photo KUCHING (June 20): The implementation of Voluntary Local Reporting (VLR) based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sarawak is aimed at identifying gaps and planning improvements in a transparent and structured manner, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. He said the purpose of the VLR is not merely to benchmark Sarawak's current status against other regions but to genuinely assess strengths and weaknesses in order to improve the well-being of its people. According to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Dr Sim said this approach reflects the sincerity of the Sarawak government to objectively assess existing strengths and weaknesses and strive to improve them for the well-being of the people. 'Through VLR, we can identify what else we need to do, what gaps we need to address, and all of these things actually show our sincerity, that we want to know and then we want to make improvements based on the data,' he said. Dr Sim was speaking after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), Sarikei District Council (MDS), and URBANICE Malaysia for the preparation of the VLR report at a hotel here today. The State Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said the sustainable development roadmap will be tailored to the specific needs of cities, local councils, and local authorities. He explained that applying the SDGs at the local level helps align development with international standards and highlights areas for improvement. He also commended URBANICE Malaysia and the participating councils for leading efforts in drafting the VLR, which he said helps analyse challenges at the grassroots level and guides targeted solutions. 'This report will be part of the index, and through this report, the needs of the city will also be assessed. 'We also look at other parameters such as the frequency of power outages and so on so that we can make comparisons. 'If we say we have become better, how much better we are, or why we are still experiencing power outages, all of these are actually very important for the development of Sarawak,' he said. Also present at the ceremony were the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Desmond Douglas Jerukan; URBANICE Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Norliza Hashim; MPP Chairman Tan Kai; MPKS Chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali; and MDS Chairman Stephen Wong Kie Yong. Dr Sim Kui Hian SDGs VLR Voluntary Local Reporting
The Star
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Sarawak Legislative Assembly to hold special one-day sitting on July 7
KUCHING: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly will convene for a one-day sitting on July 7, confirms Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. "We are only informed that there will be a special sitting on July 7. It will be a one-day sitting," he told reporters on Friday (June 20). When asked what the agenda for the sitting would be, Sim said he did not have the details. "You have to ask the Premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg)," he said. A notice, signed by Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, said the sitting of the fourth term of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly was convened in line with the provision of Standing Order 8(3). According to the Sarawak constitution, the state legislative assembly was required to meet at least once every six months. Standing Order 8(3) provides that the legislature can meet at an earlier date should public interest require it. The state assembly's most recent meeting was held from May 19 to 28.
The Star
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Grant for high-tech workers to further skills
GEORGE TOWN: Workers in the advanced technology sector can now benefit from a grant to further develop their skill at any learning institutions of their choice, says Human Resources Minister Steven Sim ( pic ). He said the matching grant was a collaboration of the Human Resource Development (HRD) Corporation and the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) under the Advanced Technology Meister Programme. 'Through the initiative, employers can jointly develop training programmes with their chosen learning institutions, supported by funding from HRD Corp through the levy system and NCIA under the 12th Malaysia Plan. 'If a company wishes to develop their manpower skills, they may not only utilise the levy from HRD Corp but also use grants from NCIA to increase the allocation amount. 'This effort reflects our commitment to building a highly skilled workforce and achieving the national target of 30% skilled workers by 2030,' Sim told reporters after launching the northern region National Training Week (NTW) 2025 Learning Tour in Bayan Lepas yesterday. Some 420 families of fishermen affected by the Silicon Island development project will also receive training to improve their career opportunities. 'The Training and Skills Enhancement Programme for families of fishermen and local communities is under the Focused Impact Training Initiative. 'A total of 420 participants from the community will receive training in various areas, including coxswain courses, site safety supervision, computer courses and safety officer certification. 'We want to ensure that families of fishermen are not left out of economic progress resulting from the Silicon Island development project by helping them secure high-impact employment opportunities, improve their income levels and uplift their socio-economic status,' he said. Themed 'Learning Beyond Borders', he added that the NTW programme has recorded over 3.2 million enrolment, exceeding its initial target of one million. He said the northern region alone has recorded more than 167,000 enrolment with almost 800 courses across Penang, Kedah and Perlis. Separately, Sim confirmed that discussions were being finalised for the ministry to work with the Penang government to develop the Penang Chip Design Academy in Bayan Lepas. 'This is a state government project and we are in discussion to finalise the collaboration between the ministry and the academy. 'As it specialises in developing the semiconductor and high-tech sector in Penang, we wish to add value and collaborate to upgrade the skills training programmes.'
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Embrace 3.0 returns to Kuching, celebrating community, compassion for animals
Yap (third left) joins (from right) Sim, Chia and Yeo in promoting the 'Embrace Programme 3.0', to take place at Tropics City in Kuching next month. KUCHING (June 20): The third edition of the 'Embrace Programme', run by the Padawan Chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI), will highlight youths, community, and animal lovers. Taking place at Tropics City here this July 4 to 6, the programme is a collaborative effort with the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and B.E.E Hive Events. According to the deputy organising head Martiana Chia, with a continued mission of building a more compassionate and empowered community, the programme will feature a free rabies vaccination 'drive-thru', pet adoption booths, pet fashion show, baby goat mini-farm, live performances, and eco-conscious workshops such as soap-making and natural fabric dyeing. 'We are honoured to partner with SSPCA and The Hive Event by Bee Gastronomy for Embrace Programme 3.0. Over the past two editions, we've witnessed how this programme has opened doors for youth development and community impact. 'We are calling for more vendors to join us in creating an engaging experience for the public,' she said in a press conference held at the Kota Sentosa Service Centre here recently. Among those present were Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, JCI Padawan president Alaric Sim, and The Hive Event by Bee Gastronomy representative Joanne Yeo. Sim meanwhile highlighted the programme as being aligned with JCI's core values and also Sarawak's development goals. 'Building the community is what JCI is about. We cultivate youth leadership by giving young people the opportunities to channel their creativity and energy into impactful causes. 'Embrace supports Sarawak's goals of prosperity, inclusivity and sustainability by creating income opportunities for vendors, welcoming every member of the family including pets, and hosting eco-friendly workshops.' As for Yap, he encouraged the public to visit the event, support local talents, and be inspired by the creativity and energy of the youths. 'The Embrace programme is a shining example of what happens when we invest in our young people and give them the platform that they deserve. 'Let us continue to support such positive initiatives for the betterment of our community and the future of Sarawak,' he said. For more information, follow @ @jcipadawan, and @sspca on major social media platforms.
